An agricultural diversification trial by patchy field arrangements at the landscape level: The landscape living lab "patchCROP"

Abstract

This paper addresses challenges of and opportunities to design novel agricultural landscapes by using digital tools as well as implementing experimental infrastructures to investigate and test them scientifically. We discuss the experimental design of the newly implemented landscape experiment named patchCROP at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) in Germany. The paper presents the research questions and selected (digital) measurements within the patchCROP experiment. The objective of this living lab is to reduce chemical-synthetic pesticide use, to promote biodiversity and to improve resource use efficiency by reducing the field size and by introducing site-specific, diverse crop rotations that are adapted to the heterogeneous soil conditions. For this purpose, new field arrangements are investigated on-farm and are hereafter called "patches", which are small structured field units, a subdivision of the large heterogeneous field into smaller and more homogenous units that correspond to the yield potential of the site.

Full text

Aspects of Applied Biology 146, 2021
Intercropping for sustainability: Research developments and their application
385
An agricultural diversication trial by patchy eld arrangements at
the landscape level: The landscape living lab “patchCROP”
By KATHRIN GRAHMANN1, MORITZ RECKLING1, IXCHEL HERNANDEZ-OCHOA2
and FRANK EWERT1,2
1Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Germany
2University of Bonn, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), Germany
Summary
This paper addresses challenges of and opportunities to design novel agricultural landscapes
by using digital tools as well as implementing experimental infrastructures to investigate
and test them scientically. We discuss the experimental design of the newly implemented
landscape experiment named patchCROP at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape
Research (ZALF) in Germany. The paper presents the research questions and selected
(digital) measurements within the patchCROP experiment. The objective of this living
lab is to reduce chemical-synthetic pesticide use, to promote biodiversity and to improve
resource use eciency by reducing the eld size and by introducing site-specic, diverse
crop rotations that are adapted to the heterogeneous soil conditions. For this purpose, new
eld arrangements are investigated on-farm and are hereafter called “patches”, which are
small structured eld units, a subdivision of the large heterogeneous eld into smaller and
more homogenous units that correspond to the yield potential of the site.
Key words: Congurational crop heterogeneity, crop rotation, digital agriculture, patch
cropping
Introduction
Smart use of agricultural landscapes should account for spatial heterogeneities of soils and temporal
crop diversication. This could support higher resource use eciency, external input independency
and stable yields while at the same time, optimizing provision of ecosystem services and mitigating
ecosystem damage (Benton et al., 2003; Maskell et al., 2019). Agricultural diversication was
reported to improve ecosystem services on many occasions and levels: the improvement of
benecial insect habitat, better root establishment and hence better soil structure, pest repression,
or increased soil suppressiveness among many other benets are related to dierent applications
of agricultural diversication (Petit et al., 2018; Davis et al., 2012; Veen et al., 2019). Numerous
studies have reported the advantages and progress of new technologies in the agricultural context,
like wireless, internet based monitoring systems which screen landscape parameters in real time
with sensors in soil, water and air (Aquino-Santos et al., 2011; Vuran et al., 2018; Diacono et al.,
2013). The acquired data and information from dierent levels and disciplines can be combined
with articial intelligence and machine learning approaches and provide synergies with emerging
digital technologies, leading to recommendations for a sustainable adaptation of the cropping system
(Bacenetti et al., 2020; Chlingaryan et al., 2018; Talaviya et al., 2020). New eld arrangements
with signicantly smaller eld sizes and new eld shapes that replace large uniform and sole

386
cropped elds and advancements in the use of ecological principles and new technologies oer
an opportunity to redesign agricultural landscapes of the future and to reduce chemical-synthetic
pesticide applications (Batáry et al., 2017; Segoli & Rosenheim, 2012; Bosem Baillod et al., 2017).
There is an urgent need for an experimental platform that assesses the functioning of innovative
eld technologies and combines them with multiple scientic measurements of sustainability
indicators to simultaneously progress in the design of future cropping systems.
ZALF is an internationally recognized research centre that focusses on the understanding of
agricultural landscapes of the future by achieving innovative, site-specic cropping methods
that combine food production with the protection of biodiversity and maintenance of ecosystem
services. A major research plan entitled “Sustainable agricultural systems through spatio-temporal
diversication at landscape level” was initiated by ZALF in 2019. Within this framework, a landscape
experiment was designed from a multidisciplinary perspective to address multiple-level problems
including soil heterogeneity, climate change, system resilience, and dependency on external inputs,
especially chemical synthetic pesticides. This resulted in the implementation of a long-term on-
farm experiment, named patchCROP, which is located within the typical agricultural landscapes
of Eastern Brandenburg. The patchCROP experiment sets one of its sustainability foci on chemical
pesticide reduction by increasing compositional and congurational heterogeneity of crops, elds
and in future also agricultural landscapes. The overall aim of this experiment is to envisage the
processes and mechanisms of agricultural diversication implemented at dierent spatial (eld size
and shape, site-specic management, crop species) and temporal scales (temporal shifts-planting
date, spring and winter crops, crop rotation, management activities) on the multifunctional response
of agroecosystems (e.g. in terms of crop growth, yield, input reduction, resource use and eciency
and biodiversity (Sirami et al., 2019; Hatt et al., 2018; Hufnagel et al., 2020)). For the purpose
of spatial diversication or likewise congurational heterogeneity (Fahrig et al., 2011), new eld
arrangements, i.e. “patches” are investigated. Patches are dened as small-structured eld units with
homogeneous site characteristics and spatially adapted management. The patchCROP experiment
is a long-term experimental infrastructure of ZALF which was recently implemented in April 2020
and is, to our knowledge, the rst approach worldwide to put small-scale and site-specic cropping
into practice through on-farm patch cropping.
Materials and Methods
The experimental approach and design for the landscape experiment are newly designed eld
arrangements within a 70 ha large eld surrounded by more than 700 ha of agricultural elds (Fig.
1). Site-specic small structured eld patches of 72 m × 72 m size were organised in two dierent
yield potential zones through an automated cluster analysis of the entire eld using 10 years of yield
maps, soil value number, soil organic matter content and apparent electrical resistance in the top
soil (0–25 cm; Donat et al., 2020). A specic crop rotation was developed in each yield potential
zone (Table 1) based on expert knowledge and crop rotation restrictions. The eld is characterised
by very heterogeneous soil conditions with varying soil texture and topography.
In addition, three dierent land use intensities were implemented with varying pesticide use
reduction strategies, partly containing perennial ower strips to promote landscape biodiversity.
The rst land use intensity comprised business as usual with conventional pesticide application.
The second one uses exible, and crop dependent approaches to reduce pesticides and the third
one is similar to the second land use intensity but with additional 12 m wide ower strips next
to the patches with the aim of additionally supporting natural enemies and pest suppression in
the neighbouring crops. The decision making on strategies that may reduce the overall use on
chemical-synthetic pesticides is accompanied by regular exchange and guidance though experts
of the Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants (Julius-Kühn Institute).

387
Fig. 1. Experimental site and setup of patchCROP. Soil texture map with a resolution of 2 m × 2 m was
created through data of Geophilus soil scanning in March 2020. Patches with varying yield potential zones
and land use intensities are depicted.
Table 1. 5 year crop rotation for each yield potential zone (CC= cover crop)
Yield potential 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year
High Rapeseed Barley CC-Soybean CC-Maize Wheat
Low CC-Sunower Oats CC-Maize Lupin Rye
Three conceptual pillars were applied simultaneously in the research and development process
of the experimental design. First, the inclusion of the landscape context using agricultural system
research approaches and comprehensive background data. Second, a provision of a living lab
that simultaneously accommodates interdisciplinary research, monitoring of soil, crop, and
environmental data and demonstration activities. And lastly, an involvement of co-design and co-
innovation methods that ensures innovative research approaches and guarantees a high level of
engagement with farmers’ needs and new technologies’ implementation potentials.
Results and Discussion
patchCROP is producing information that facilitates a site-specic, diversied and sustainable
land use management in agricultural landscapes by identifying local management zones and eects
between neighbouring eld crops. It also contributes to elucidating the interactions between spatial
soil variability, crop yields and their environment. The implementation of patchCROP established
a research platform for forward-looking technologies. The possibilities and impacts of visionary
technologies like multidimensional sensing systems, internet of (underground) things and robotics
for precision agriculture can be evaluated from three perspectives: crop physiological, ecological
(including soil and biodiversity) and technological.


388
This is being achieved through the following specic objectives:
1. Analysis of the eects of site-specic, diversied land use and management practices on the
resilience and stability of the cropping system;
2. Promotion of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape through diversied land use patterns
of crop rotation and crop species in the eld and the use of landscape elements that strengthen
agro-ecological functions;
3. Minimize the use of chemical synthetic pesticides in agriculture by promoting the benets of
spatial and temporal diversication within the agricultural landscape;
4. Long-term reduction in the application of mineral fertilizers through improved resource use;
5. Successful use of modern, automated or sensor-controlled technology for site-specic, patchy
cropping arrangements and to reduce labour costs and use of big machinery.
In addition to manual crop and soil measurements like leaf area index, NDVI, plant height,
biomass and grain yield or volumetric moisture content of the top soil, several digital tools were
installed in order to monitor, measure and answer important research questions. Soil sampling and
measurement campaigns include soil nutrient surveys, as well as the assessment of structural and
hydrological soil properties. Proximal sensing was applied with dierent soil scanners, and remote
sensing is conducted biweekly with two dierent cameras. Digital yellow traps were installed in
rapeseed for the monitoring of pests and benecial insects. A LoRa (Long Range Wide Area) soil
sensing system was put into operation to receive real-time in situ information on soil-water processes
through wireless communication. In order to account for biodiversity measurements, benecial
insects are monitored with barber tarps and birds are monitored continuously in the experiment
and neighbouring elds.
Preliminary results of the summer cropping cycle in 2020 are presented to show potential
applications of long-term comparison for plant performance with dierent yield potential zones
(Fig. 2) and land use intensities (Fig. 3). Average soil moisture content in the topsoil was higher
in the high yield potential zone over the entire cropping cycle (Fig. 2). As sand content is higher
in the low yield potential patches (Fig. 1), water holding and storage capacity of the soil might be
reduced leading to lower soil moisture. This negatively aected biomass production of grain maize
(Fig. 3). Conventional pesticide management led to highest biomass gains in both yield potential
zones compared with reduced pesticide application and in combination with ower strips.
However, we are aware of potential risks and challenges that this novel landscape experiment
implies. As there are no real replicates yet, geostatistical approaches are needed for robust statistical
data analysis (Zhang et al., 1994). Also, the patch size is now determined and limited to the size
which available agricultural machinery can manage. In future, accessible eld robotics may allow
the size and even form of the patches to be changed, which increases technical feasibility and
contributes to sustainable intensication (Wegener et al., 2019).
Conclusions and Outlook
patchCROP serves as an experimental eld infrastructure that provides the space and scientic
framework to test digital tools and cropping systems of the future that support sustainable agricultural
practice. It provides the opportunity to obtain systematic analyses of ecosystem services delivered
from agricultural landscapes by compartmentalization of large elds into small-structured eld
units. patchCROP oers the collection of data required for complex agricultural system models and
future crop models that manage eld robotics. We cordially invite the scientic community to take
action in this interdisciplinary and innovative project and engage the collaboration with research
from many disciplines to continue working on the development, support and implementation of
new digital technologies in patchCROP.

389
Fig. 2. Volumetric soil moisture content (%) during the summer cropping cycle in 2020 in the top soil for
high and low yield potential patches (n=15) at the patchCROP experiment in Tempelberg, Germany.
Fig. 3. Biomass gain of grain maize of four cutting dates during the summer cropping cycle in 2020 for three
dierent land use intensities (Con= business as usual, Red= reduced pesticide application, Red+Flower=
reduced application and ower strips) and two yield potential zones (H=high, L=low yield potential) at the
patchCROP experiment in Tempelberg, Germany.
Acknowledgements
The design and implementation process was additionally supported and driven by ZALF researchers
(Michael Glemnitz, Ralf Bloch, Sonoko Bellingrath-Kimura, Johann Bachinger, Marco Donat, Peter
Zander, Ruth Ellerbrock, Dietmar Barkusky); by researchers from University of Bonn (Thomas
Döring, Thomas Gaiser), Julius Kühn Institute (Silke Dachbrodt-Saaydeh, Jürgen Schwarz, Bettina
Klocke) and other institutes (Hans-Peter Piepho, University of Hohenheim). We acknowledge
the funding of the trial by PhenoRob, DAKIS and ZALF and appreciate the maintenance of the
undergoing research activities by the technicians Gerlinde Stange, Lars Richter, Sigrid Ehlert and
Maria Schnaitmann and the M.Sc. student David Caracciolo and the interns Clara Heilburg and
Lukas Metzger.
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